Collapsible snowshoe

Abstract

The present invention provides a collapsible snowshoe. The collapsible snowshoe includes an optional guard member, an optional deck, two or more removable support members, one or more cross members, a snowshoe binding, an optional connector, and one or more crampons. Methods of using the collapsible snowshoe are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A collapsible snowshoe comprising:
 a guard member having a first surface and a second surface, 
 wherein the guard member is connected to a front lateral edge of a deck having a first surface, a second surface, a first longitudinal edge, a second longitudinal edge, and a rear lateral edge, 
 two removable straight longitudinal support members, each support member having a front end and a rear end, 
 wherein the deck comprises a first longitudinal sleeve along the entire first longitudinal edge of the deck and a second longitudinal sleeve along the entire second longitudinal edge of the deck for receiving the two removable straight longitudinal support members, 
 wherein the first longitudinal sleeve is parallel to the second longitudinal sleeve, 
 wherein the two removable longitudinal support members each independently contain one or more retainers; 
 one or more cross members each independently having a first surface, a second surface, a first proximal end, and a second proximal end, 
 wherein the one or more cross members are each independently connected transversely to the first surface of the deck and the first proximal end overlaps the first longitudinal sleeve perpendicular to the first longitudinal sleeve and the second proximal end overlaps the second longitudinal sleeve perpendicular to the second longitudinal sleeve; 
 a snowshoe binding connected transversely to one or more of the one or more cross members, 
 wherein a front of the snowshoe binding is oriented toward the guard member; 
 a connector operatively coupling the first surface of the guard member to the snowshoe binding, 
 wherein the connector comprises a connector member, a lanyard, and a lanyard retainer, 
 one or more crampons connected to the second surface of the deck, and 
 wherein the front ends of the longitudinal support members extend forward of each of the one or more cross members, and the rear ends of the longitudinal support members extend rearwardly of the one or more cross members when the collapsible snowshoe is fully assembled. 
 
     
     
       2. The collapsible snowshoe of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more retainers include a snap button, a fitted cap, a fitted tube, or a combination thereof.